Napa Valley Water Polo is offering a spring camp from April 29 to May 29. Both the youth and pre-teen groups are going from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Napa Valley College. The 9-and-under group (beginners) is going to be at Silverado Middle School and the time is 3:45 to 4:30 p.m.

Requirements are that you must be able to swim 15 yards. Also required is annual membership ($40 trial membership-good for four months) to USA Water Polo 2008 (required for insurance). The web site is usawaterpolo.com

Camp fees are $30 (this fee is separate from USA Water Polo membership). Make checks payable to NVWP. Go to NVWP.net and click on registration to print out NVWP registration form. Follow instructions and use this information provided to fill out your USA Water Polo form. Print out NVWP registration form and USA Water Polo confirmation. Mail completed forms and check to: Napa Valley Water Polo, P.O. Box 5633, Napa, CA 94581.

Napa Valley Swim Team program for high school swimmers has April 30 sign-ups

The Napa Valley Swim Team is again offering a three-month session for training high school level swimmers. The high school preparation group is a program designed for high school swimmers who wish to get in condition and refine their skills prior to the beginning of the high school swimming or water polo seasons.  Sign-ups and the first practice will be held on Wednesday, April 30, and the session will run through July 30. Practices will be held at the Napa Valley College pool Monday through Thursday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. with additional training opportunities available. The cost for the entire three months is $300 in addition to the annual USA Swimming registration fee. Call the Napa Valley Swim Team office at 257-SWIM (7946) for further information. The Napa Valley Swim Team is a multilevel USA Swimming team which has served the Napa community for over 50 years.  

Napa Valley Express has May 1 deadline for scholarship opportunities

The Napa Valley Express Softball organization will be accepting applications for scholarships for 2008 graduating seniors. Applicants must have played with the organization during the summer season at least three out of the last five years.

To obtain an application or for more information, contact Teri Price at 255-6050 or e-mail dandtprice@aol.com. The deadline for submittal is May 1.

Cinco de Mayo Golf Classic May 2 at Silverado Resort

The 10th annual Cinco de Mayo Golf Classic will be held May 2 at Silverado Resort. Organized by the Napa Valley Farmworker Committee and the Cinco de Mayo Committee, the Cinco de Mayo Golf Classic is the only fund-raising event in Napa Valley to be exclusively dedicated to the needs of farmworkers, with proceeds going to improve farmworker housing, healthcare and education.

The 2008 Cinco de Mayo Golf Classic is attracting a number of underwriters, including American Ag Credit, Diageo Estate, Garvey Family Vineyards, Miner Family Vineyards, Margaret Duckhorn, Encanto Vineyards, Raymond Winery, Servin-Lopez Vineyards, Silicon Valley Bank, Silverado Farming Company, Inc., Trinchero Estates and Wells Fargo Bank.

Proceeds from the Cinco de Mayo Golf Classic fund vital projects and basic needs at Napa’s Farmworker Housing Facilities that are not covered in the Farmworker Housing budget. Past projects and/or items include a barbecue area at the River Ranch Camp, freezers, beds, sinks, computers, landscaping supplies, dental assistance, work assistance and leadership training, and the creation of community rooms at all of the facilities.

Organizations and individuals who wish to sponsor or register for the tournament are encouraged to do so as soon as possible as space is limited to 144 golfers.

Packages are as follows:

• Double Eagle: $1,500-four golfers, cart, continental breakfast, margaritas, lunch, tee prices and tee sign with sponsor’s name.

• Eagle: $750–two golfers and all of the above.

• Tee sponsor: $75-tee sign with sponsor’s name.

• Single players: $175.

• Mexican fiesta-style post tournament luncheon: $35.

To register, send checks payable to Napa Valley Community Housing–Golf to Jack Neal, 1151 York Lane, St. Helena, CA, 94574, or contact Jack Neal at 967-8038, or e-mail jack@gjscollp.com.

Napa Valley Swim Team Pre-Olympic program tryouts May 3 and 10

The Napa Valley Swim Team is having tryouts for its Pre-Olympic program, which offers beginning swim instruction, on May 3 and 10, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Napa Valley College.

Youths ages 4 to 8 are eligible for the program, which teaches freestyle, breathing to the side and backstroke. There are three-week sessions offered on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 4 to 4:30 p.m. The registration fee is $10. Payment is due at the registration. There are four to five swimmers per teacher with an aide.

Requirements are that you must be deep-water safe and must be able to swim 15 yards by either float with kicking on front or back, dog paddle or swimming under water.

Session dates are May 13 to May 29, June 3 to June 19, June 24 to July 10, and July 15 to July 31. The cost is $90 per session.

For more information, call 257-7946 or go to the team’s Web site, www.napavalleyswim.com.

Napa Valley Express softball tryouts May 3

Napa Valley Express Softball will be holding tryouts for its 10-and-under and 12-and-under “B” teams on May 3 at the Vintage High School junior varsity softball field. Check-in for both age groups will begin at 4:30 p.m. with evaluations to start at 5 p.m.

Make-up tryouts will be held on May 4 at the Vintage varsity softball field. Check-in will begin at 9:30 a.m. with evaluations to start at 10 a.m. Evaluations will last approximately two hours. Pitchers and catchers will be asked to stay after for approximately a half hour.

All players must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or they will not be allowed to try out.

For more information on the 12-and-under program, contact Mark or Nikki Lundeen at 265-6527. For more information on the 10-and-under program, contact Dave Price at 255-6050.

Napa Golf Course offers junior practice sessions starting May 3

Napa Golf Course at Kennedy Park will be holding practice sessions for junior golfers on May 3 on the driving range. The sessions will continue on Saturdays until June 7, and then on Thursdays throughout the summer. The practice time is 2 to 3 p.m., and juniors can play nine holes of golf if they desire.

These practice sessions are for youths ages 12 to 18 and includes both boys and girls. It will be determined throughout the practice periods who will play for the Kennedy junior golf teams, which are members of the North Bay Junior League.

This year, Napa will have two teams — one boys and one girls. Seven matches are planned for the summer, either on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, starting with Windsor on June 18. There is lunch at noon, followed by golf at 1 p.m. A final tournament will be held in August, where all youngster can play. It will be necessary for the youths that make the Kennedy team to arrange for their own transportation to the matches, or arrange a car pool.

The practice sessions are free of charge, with Napa Golf Course furnishing range balls and golf instruction. Those that are asked to join the teams will pay a $45 fee, which includes lunch at the matches, golf shirt and hat, six rounds of golf and six medium buckets of range balls. At the final match in August, organizers will ask each player for $10 to defray the cost of lunch and prizes.

Kennedy junior golf is looking for cash donations and used golf clubs. Anyone interested in donating can call Jack Walters at 252-8214 or 738-6774.

For more information, call Walters at 252-8214 or 738-6774.

Napa Junior Girls Softball League traveling team tryouts May 4 and 5

Tryouts for the Napa Roadrunners, who are affiliated with the Napa Junior Girls Softball League, will be held in May. Players have to be a member of the Napa Junior Girls Softball League to be eligible. There are tryouts for 12-and-under and 10-and-under teams on May 4 at 3 p.m. at the NJGSL complex and May 5 at 5 p.m. at the NJGSL complex.

For more information, call the NJGSL hotline at 259-9022.

Chief and Roxie Green Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament has May 9 deadline

The Chief and Roxie Green Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament will be held May 16 at 11 a.m. at Napa Golf Course in Kennedy Park. It’s a scramble format with teams to be drawn the day of the tournament. Refreshments will be available on the course. A barbecue and awards program follows at the clubhouse.

The tournament benefits two scholarships for male and female athletes at Napa High School.

The cost is $65. The deadline to sign up is May 9. For more information, contact Mike “Duey” Green at 224-8850.

NHS Football’s Dinner of Champions, May 10

Napa High School’s football program is holding a Dinner of Champions on Saturday, May 10, at the Chardonnay Golf Club.

The event is looking to raise money for the Indians’ freshman, JV and varsity football teams.

The varsity gridders recently won Napa High School’s first-ever CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division I title, with its 38-26 win over St. Mary’s-Stockton on Dec. 8. They’ve also won five Monticello Empire League Championships in the past six seasons and made it to the post season six consecutive times.

Tickets are $100 per person or $850 for a table of 10. That cost will give guests a catered dinner as well as sparkling and still wine.

The tickets are for sale at Bank of Napa on Redwood Road, in Redwood Plaza. Those interested in purchasing tickets may also call Shawn Blom 707-225-7840, and should act soon because space is limited. All those attending must be age 21 or older.

A cocktail hour and silent auction will begin at 5:30 p.m. and last until 7 p.m., when dinner is served. During dinner, a live auction will take place until 10 p.m.

More than 100 silent-auction items will include from wine, wine-tasting or golf packages, sports memorabilia, restaurant gift certificates and much more.

Highlights include:

• 1996 Chateau Lafite Rothschild Magnum — Robert Parker rated this wine 100 points.

• Football helmet and picture signed by the Historic 2007 Sac-Joaquin Division 1 Champions.

• A’s suite for 18 plus four third-base Field Box tickets and two VIP parking passes

• A weekend rafting trip for eight.

• Have dinner prepared and served to you by the Napa High varsity football coaches.

People wishing to donate items should contact Cindy Boyett at 707-494-9541.

Napa Valley Community Housing to host charity golf tournament May 14

Napa Valley Community Housing, a non-profit organization serving the needs of low-income families by providing affordable housing, will host a charity golf tournament on May 14 at Eagle Vines Golf Course in Napa.

The tournament was created to help raise money for the organization’s efforts toward offering affordable housing to low-income families across the Napa Valley. The 18-hole tournament will start at 1 p.m., followed by a special dinner and auction from 6 to 8 p.m. Items up for auction include a variety of interesting wine, unique travel packages, and other lots.

The cost for playing in the tournament and dinner is $125 per person, while attending only the dinner will cost $50 per person. For more information, to register or sponsor, call 253-6140 or go to www.nvch.org.

Girls drop-in basketball clinic at Vintage through June 5

A girls drop-in basketball clinic for those players in the sixth through 11th grade will be held Mondays and Thursdays, March 31 through June 5, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Vintage High School gym. There is no charge.

Storm Classic Golf Tournament June 6 at Silverado Resort

The third annual Storm Classic Golf Tournament, a benefit for the Napa Valley College athletic programs, is June 6 with a noon shotgun on the Silverado Resort South Course. The main format will be a two-best net balls of the foursome (90 percent of handicap). There will be a men’s, women’s and mixed team division in this format. There will also be a scramble division for teams made up of players without established handicaps and is open to all who would rather play scramble than best ball. If you do not have an established handicap and would like to play two best net balls, organizers will assign one to you at check-in. Individuals without a team will be assigned  to a team. Teams can only compete in one division.

The entry fee/donation of $190 per individual and $700 per team before May 30 includes lunch on the course, range balls prior to play, golf and cart fees, a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres awards reception, and dinner with wine in the main ballroom following play. The cost for entries received after May 30 are $200 per person.

There will be a hole-in-one prize, closest-to-the-pin prizes on every par-3, and a long drive contest for both men and women. The evening program includes an auction, featuring golf items and other interesting items.

Several levels of tournament sponsorship are available, including tee sign ($100), sponsor-a-student player ($150), hole sponsor ($500), birdie sponsor ($1,000), eagle sponsor ($2,000) and double eagle sponsor ($4,000).

Registration is at 10 a.m. Checks are to be made payable to Napa  Valley College Foundation.

Entries are to be returned by May 30 to NVC Foundation, 2277 Napa-Vallejo Highway, Napa, CA 94558. For more information, call 253-3374.

Raiders re-launch Spanish-language web site

The Oakland Raiders announced a technological and design re-launch of their Spanish web site. The re-launch will allow more Raider fans to interact with the Silver and Black in a platform fully developed to present Raiders football in the Spanish language.

Raidersenespanol.com was launched in 2002 as a Spanish version of the team’s official web site and throughout the years has evolved its own identity, as the Hispanic fan base of the Silver and Black continues to grow.

Among the features that the Spanish web site will now offer are exclusive editorials from international and local columnists, comprehensive tickets and suites informational sections, video programming, full game-day coverage, Raiders history as well as complete player biographies.

Senior Babe Ruth seeking manager

Napa Babe Ruth has an opening in its Senior Division (16-18 years) for a field manager.

The Senior Program starts in Mid-May and runs through the first week in July.

Interested volunteers can get more information by calling Mike Helmer at 254-8904.

High school football officials needed

The North Bay Officials Association, which serves Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Marin and Mendocino counties, needs high school officials for the 2008 football season. The NBOA will train all interested persons. Those interested can go to www.nboafootball.org or call 425-3180.

City of Napa offers softball league for those 50 and over

The city of Napa’s Community Resources Department is looking for players age 50 and over of all ability levels to participate in its fifth season of senior slow pitch softball. Games are on Tuesday nights at the JKF softball complex. Individuals must be age 50 or older or turning 50 in 2008.

To sign up, contact Kelly Abernathy at 257-9529.

Oakland Raiders Youth Skills Camp June 7-8

The eighth annual Oakland Raiders Youth Skills Camp is set for June 7-8 and is open to boys and girls ages 8 to 14. Raider players and coaching staff, along with Bay Area high school and college coaches, instruct participants on fundamental football techniques. All camp instruction and activities will be held at the Raiders facility in Alameda.

The two-day camp is designed to encourage boys and girls to participate in and enjoy the game of football. Demonstrations, step-by-step explanations, one-on-one attention and close instruction are designed to substantially improve on each athlete’s ability. There will be sessions specific to offense, defense and special teams play. Athletes with all levels of experience are encouraged to participate.

Campers will have the opportunity to tour the facility, including a visit to the team locker room, and get autographs from many of their favorite Raiders.

The two-day camp begins on Saturday morning and concludes Sunday afternoon. Each session runs from 8 a.m. until approximately 3 p.m.

The registration fee includes instruction, camp T-shirt, Raiders gift bag, and lunch on both days.

Registration forms and additional camp information are available on the Raiders official web site, www.raiders.com, and on the site’s Kids Zone, www.raidersforkids.com. The camp is sponsored by California Police Youth Charities.

Basketball Jones camps here July 14-18, Aug. 11-15

Basketball Jones day camps will be offered in Napa this summer.

Napa Camp No. 1 is  July 14 to 18 at St. Apollinaris. Napa Camp No. 2 is Aug. 11 to 15 at Napa Valley College.

There are 40 hours of instruction in a one-week Basketball Jones camp.

For more details, go to www.basketballjonescamps.com. For a free brochure or questions, call 1-800-348-3803.

California Women’s State Championship July 14-16

The 13th annual California Women’s State Championship will be played at Hiddenbrooke Golf Club in Vallejo on July 14, 15 and 16. This event is open to all female amateurs who are California residents with a maximum U.S. Golf Association handicap-index of 10.4. There is no age restriction. It is sponsored by four of the California women’s golf associations: Pacific Women’s Golf Association, San Diego County Women’s Golf Association, Women’s Golf Association of Northern California and the Women’s Southern California Golf Association.

The purpose of this championship is to determine the California State Women’s Amateur Stroke Play Champion and to determine who will represent the State of California in the USGA State Team Matches, which are held every other year.

Last year’s event, won by Jenny Shin of Torrance, was held at Pala Mesa Resort in Fallbrooke.

The entry fee of $195 includes green fees, carts, range balls, a player’s reception on Monday afternoon and the awards on Wednesday afternoon. The format of the competition is 54 holes of stroke play at scratch.

For further information or additional entry forms, contact the California Women’s State Championship coordinator, Luckii Ludwig, 155 Inner Circle, Davis, Calif., 95616, or call (530) 756-4337, or e-mail Luckreel@sbcglobal.net. More information may also be obtained by going to www.cwcgolf.org.

NHS Football holds non-contact youth summer camp, July 28-Aug. 1

The 2007 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division I football champions will host a non-contact youth football camp for student-athletes from July 28-Aug. 1.

In addition to daily skill instruction in every football position, the camp will include a 7-on-7 passing tournament directed by the Indians’ football coaching staff. Any student-athlete entering fifth-eight grade may participate in this week-long, non-contact camp.

Napa head coach Troy Mott and his staff are excited to work with local athletes.

“Having played in the Napa youth football leagues myself, I am anxious to work with these kids,” Mott said. “We are going to inspire kids to play the game that has molded many of our student-athletes here at Napa High. Having grown up in our community it is important to me that we provide the best for our kids; this camp is going to educate them about conditioning, nutrition and all the values that playing football can teach.”

Napa will host the camp at its practice field, west of the weight room. The camp begins at 7:30 a.m. each morning and ends at 12:30 p.m. The cost is $195 per camper. Parents and student-athletes can obtain more information by visiting www.napaindianfootball.com or calling assistant coach Paul Gassner at 707-363-2400.

Shannon Ridge Winery to host USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Ultra-Endurance race Oct. 18-19

Shannon Ridge Winery will host the final race of the 2008 USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Ultra-Endurance Calendar. Titled the Shannon Ridge Showdown, the event will take place in Clearlake Oaks in Lake County, Oct. 18-19.

The Shannon Ridge Showdown Ultra-Endurance race will be a 16-hour competition and the course itself is approximately 7.5 miles in length with over 1,700 feet of climbing per lap. The course route is a combination of single track, double track, fire access roads and vineyard rows. This is the first time that a USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Ultra Endurance Calendar series race course has included vineyards as part of the course route. The race and course is designed, promoted and directed by endurance racers. Ultra-Endurance racing is one the fastest growing forms of mountain bike racing.

The race will begin in front of the Shannon Ridge tasting room on Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks at 4 p.m. on Oct. 18 and will end at 8 a.m. on Oct. 19 in the mountain vineyards directly across from the home of winery owners Clay and Margarita Shannon.

On line registration will open March 1. A USA Cycling Mountain Bike race license is required to compete. Registration closes Oct. 11 or when racer limit is reached (300 racers maximum). More information about the race can be found at www.shannonridgeshowdown.com or by contacting Rick Gunier at rick@shannonridgeshowdown.com.

Napa Screamers 14-and-under softball seeking players

The Napa Screamers 14-and-under tournament softball team is looking for two utility players to complete its 2008 roster. The Screamers team will compete in six summer tournaments, with the option of continuing into the fall. In 2007, the Screamers team earned first-, second- and third-place trophies.

The 2008 tournament season will begin in May, when high school play has concluded. Eligible players must be born in 1993 or 1994.

Interested players should contact Dave or Susan Schwartz at 252-7466.

Tornadoes softball 14s team needs pitchers

The Tornadoes, a 14-and-under fastpitch travel softball team, is looking for pitchers for the spring/summer season. For more information, contact Chai at 386-1305 or Rick at 732-3026.

ING Bay to Breakers early registration

Early registration for the 97th annual ING Bay to Breakers 12K (7.46 mile), scheduled for May 18 at 8 a.m. in San Francisco, is available now.

Runners of all ages, backgrounds and levels of athletic ability can register now by visiting www.ingbaytobreakers.com or calling (415) 359-2800. The race starts at Howard Street and Main Street near San Francisco Bay and finishes at the breakers of the Pacific Ocean at the Great Highway along Ocean Beach.

Napa Valley MAGA accepting new golf members

The Napa Valley Mexican American Golf Association is looking for new members. Men and women age 21 and older are eligible to join MAGA, which plays a tournament schedule monthly in Napa, Solano, Santa Rosa and Contra Costa counties.

There are also openings for directors on the organization’s board. This is the 39th year of Napa Valley MAGA.

To join, or for more information, call Bob Leal, Napa Valley MAGA’s president and tournament director, at 944-2884.

There are tournaments planned for Hidden Valley (May 18), Bennett Valley (June 22), Napa Golf Course at Kennedy Park (July 20), Lone Tree (August 17), Pittsburg Delta View (Sept. 21), Napa Golf Course (Oct. 19), Blue Rock (Nov. 16), and Green Tree (Dec. 21). Other tournaments of interest include Cinco de Mayo-Contra Costa (May 3 or 5), La Playa Classic (May 24-25), eight-man team competition (June 14), and the MAGA state tournament (Aug. 29-31).

Napa Saints cheer coaches needed

The award-winning Napa Saints cheer program is now accepting applications for all coaching positions for the 2008 season. Interviews will begin in February and March. Head coaches must be 21 years of age, assistant coaches 18 years of age, and junior coaches between the ages of 14-17. Cheer and/or dance experience is desired.

To download an application, go to www.napasaints.com and go to forms, download a new coach application, and mail it the Saints’ P.O. Box. For more information, e-mail Staci O’Kelley, cheer coordinator, at napasaintscheer@aol.com, or call 312-1186.

North Bay Umpires Association needs baseball, softball umpires

The North Bay Umpires Association needs high school baseball and softball umpires for the upcoming season. The area includes Vallejo, Benicia, Cordelia, Napa, St. Helena, Fairfield, Vacaville and Dixon. The association will provide training. If interested, call Roi Hammond (baseball) at 342-6022 or John Shepherd (softball) at 552-6318.

Napa Golf Course spring lesson programs

Napa Golf Course at Kennedy Park will offer a spring lesson schedule designed for couples, juniors and women. The course is still offering free golf for children under 16 years of age when accompanied by a full paying adult.

• Couples golf Saturday’s is a clinic designed for players of all caliber that would like to learn the game of golf with their husband, or wife, or significant other in a casual setting. Students should have some experience but it is not required. The fee is $150 per couple. The five sessions will include fundamentals of golf and on-course instruction. All classes are one hour in duration and classes are limited to the first four couples. It runs Feb. 23 to March 22, April 5 to May 3, and May 17 to June 21. To register, call the Napa Golf Course pro shop at 255-4333.

• A ladies night out clinic for those 18 and over has been the most popular clinic at Napa Golf Course. Attendees will enjoy a more relaxing atmosphere of learning. This class is for the beginner or the novice that is looking to improve their game. It runs March 3 to 31, April 14 to May 12, and May 19 to June 16. To register, call the Napa Golf Course pro shop at 255-4333.

• A ladies Sunday clinic is designed to assist participants to further their knowledge and skills and concentrate on the actual playing of the game. Participants must have completed a “Ladies Night Out” clinic or have a knowledge of the game that is above the beginner level and own a set of golf clubs. It runs March 2 to 30, April 13 to May 11, and May 25 to June 22. To register, call the Napa Golf Course pro shop at 255-4333.